There were no other cars nearby. He and Irisviel held first and second place. Irisviel was undeniably skilled, but he was not fighting alone.
This victory would ultimately belong to him.
Rin finally let out a breath and slumped back in her seat.
The battle, the mind games, and all the other contests had nearly driven her mad. But thankfully, thankfully, they were still in first place, and Luviagelita was still behind them. This had to be secure now, right? It had to be secure, right?
Irisviel's car had slowed after the accident. Even with all her strength, Luviagelita had only barely caught up just now. Gilgamesh had died from the poison taking effect, and Gudako was still repairing her car.
They had won. They had won. They had finally won. They no longer had to worry.
"Hahahahaha—"
"Tohsaka, why are you laughing?" Shirou asked in confusion, wiping away his sweat. His contest with Irisviel had been far too perilous. They had nearly lost—just a little closer, and they would have lost.
Thankfully, he had wisely jinxed her. But why did that laughter sound so familiar?
"I laugh at no one but Gudako for her lack of strategy and Luviagelita for her lack of wit. If I were them, I would definitely lie in ambush here and wait until you and Irisviel were locked in battle. Then I would use instant acceleration—especially Luviagelita, who could quickly insert coins—to seize the speed advantage. Tell me, what would happen then?" Rin mocked Luviagelita.
A sense of dread suddenly washed over Shirou. But before he could dwell on what that phrasing meant, he heard a sound like a rocket accelerating. He could even feel the scorching heat of the flames against his cheeks. Luviagelita had actually pulled ahead of him?
"Ohohohoho! Shiro, though